title: Learning to multitask: effects of video game practice on electrophysiological indices of attention and resource allocation.
abstract: Changes in attention allocation with complex task learning reflect processing automatization and more efficient control. We studied these changes using ERP and EEG spectral analyses in subjects playing Space Fortress, a complex video game comprising standard cognitive task components. We hypothesized that training would free up attentional resources for a secondary auditory oddball task. Both P3 and delta EEG showed a processing trade-off between game and oddball tasks, but only some game events showed reduced attention requirements with practice. Training magnified a transient increase in alpha power following both primary and secondary task events. This contrasted with alpha suppression observed when the oddball task was performed alone, suggesting that alpha may be related to attention switching. Hence, P3 and EEG spectral data are differentially sensitive to changes in attentional processing occurring with complex task training.
authors.affiliation: Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA.
authors.forename: Edward L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Maclin
authors.forename: Kyle E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Mathewson
authors.forename: Kathy A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Low
authors.forename: Walter R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Boot
authors.forename: Arthur F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Kramer
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fabiani
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gratton
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011214:Practice, Psychological; D018910:Video Games